Abstract: The system, method, and program of this invention enables an object language application to issue a query over a view and to receive back, as query results, handles to application type objects which can be further manipulated by the application. A view is defined herein as a collection of a view type, and a view type is defined as a class or type. Upon receipt of the query referencing a view type, a query engine generates a query plan that builds mock (i.e., proxy) application type objects in memory based upon the view types. The application objects have a form that is consistent with the class definition for a type of object returned as a result. The application can run methods on the application type objects or point to other application type objects from the handles, to the application objects, that are returned to the application; and these manipulations will be understood by the query engine.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser such as a soap dispenser or the like. The dispenser includes a sleeve and a pump rotatably disposed inside the sleeve. A swivel is substantially fixed to the pump and rotatable inside the sleeve. The dispenser is configured so that fluid is drawn from a reservoir, through the swivel and into the pump. From the pump, the fluid is dispensed through a spout to the user.

Abstract: A positive-feedback go/no-go control system for an electric-vehicle ride (10) at an amusement park reliably communicates motion commands, vehicle-presence signals, and vehicle-status signals in the presence of high electrical noise and does so without the addition of expensive add-on equipment. The railway electric-vehicle ride includes an outbus (16) and an inbus (18) running along a railway (14). The positive-feedback go/no-go control system comprises a wayside control board (22) that provides a bipolar pulse-width-modulated command signal (26) to the outbus. A control circuit (24) onboard the electric vehicle receives the bipolar pulse-width-modulated command signal, amplitude modulates it at different frequencies that represent the electric vehicle's intended action, and provides the processed bipolar pulse-width-modulated command signal (30, 32) to the inbus.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for using a relational database management system to support on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems. A multi-dimensional database is defined having a set of multi-dimensional data blocks and a set of identifiers comprising selected dimensions of multi-dimensional data for identifying particular ones of the multi-dimensional data blocks. The set of identifiers provides an ordering of the multi-dimensional data blocks using multi-dimensional member identifiers and holds usage information and age information about the multi-dimensional data blocks. The data in the set of multi-dimensional data blocks is stored in a relational database that represents the multi-dimensional database. Then, a set of rows representing a multi-dimensional data block is accessed from the relational database.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented two-level caching system. A statement is executed in a computer. The statement is executed by the computer to manipulate data in a database stored on a data storage device connected to the computer. Initially, a first statement is prepared to create an executable structure for executing the first statement from an application. Then, the executable structure is stored in an application-level cache associated with the application. A second statement is received for execution from the application. It is determined that the second statement can be executed using the stored executable structure for the first statement. Next, the second statement is executed using the stored executable structure.

Abstract: A dual speed fishing reel having a housing with a spool on a spool shaft, a driven gear on the spool shaft and having a low speed pinion and a high speed pinion, a drive shaft, a low speed drive gear for engaging the low speed pinion and a high speed drive gear for engaging the high speed pinion, with the drive gears carried on the drive shaft, with one of the drive gears fixed to the drive shaft for rotation by the drive shaft and with the other of the drive gears riding on the drive shaft independent of rotation of the drive shaft, with the high speed drive gear engageable with the low speed drive gear, and a gear shift for moving the low speed drive gear into and out of engagement with the high speed drive gear.

Abstract: Disclosed is a translating handle assembly that actuates a latch mechanism to releasably secure a door to a structure. The handle assembly includes an interior handle, an exterior handle, and a translating shaft. The translating shaft is connected between the interior handle and the exterior handle. The interior handle is rotatable between closed and open positions and the exterior handle rotates in unison with the interior handle between closed and open positions. In the closed position, the exterior handle is disposed within the recess of an exterior handle housing. Rotation of the interior handle between closed and open positions causes the translating shaft to move axially between non-extended and extended positions displacing the exterior handle axially out of the recess of the exterior handle housing.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented data manager. A statement is executed in a computer. The statement being performed by the computer to access data from a database stored on a data storage device connected to the computer. A determination is made as to whether to defer referential integrity checking when executing the statement. When it is determined that referential integrity checking is to be deferred, each record is processed that is specified in the statement. Keys for select records are stored as each record is processed. Then, after executing the statement, referential integrity checking is performed on the stored keys.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer-implemented live connection manager. A statement is executed in a computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device connected to the computer. In particular, a first statement is received from another computer via an internet network. The first statement is prepared to create an executable structure for executing the first statement. A second statement is received from another computer via an internet network. Then, when the received second statement or portion thereof is the same as the first statement or portion thereof, processing the second statement or portion thereof by executing the executable structure created for the first statement or portion thereof.

Abstract: An irrigation hose splice and method of making the same that permits used irrigation hose to be reinstalled and retrieved in the same manner as new irrigation hose. The method of splicing includes providing two segments of unjoined irrigation hose. Inserting a heat shield into a first segment to prevent its inner circumferential surface from fusing together when the first hose segment is later fused with a second hose segment. Inserting the first hose segment into the second hose segment, creating an area where the two segments overlap. Appyling heat and compression simultaneously at the overlapping area to fuse together the first and second hose segments, creating an irrigation hose splice which is composed of material from the first hose segment and the second hose segment that have been fused together.

Abstract: A cable connector coupling having a nut for attachment to a cable connector and a body joined to the nut so that the cable of the cable connector passes through the nut and body, the nut having a first internal annular groove and the body having a first external annular groove, with a lock ring positioned in the first grooves so that the nut and body translate axially together, an annular engagement ring positioned around the body for sliding axially on the body, the engagement ring having a second internal annular groove and the body having a second external annular groove, with a drive ring positioned in the second grooves, with the nut and engagement ring axially interengaging for varying the overall axial length of the nut and body as the nut is rotated relative to the body, with the body and engagement ring interengaging for limiting rotation of the engagement ring relative to the body, and with the drive ring and body interengaging for urging the engagement ring and nut into engagement for limiting rota

Abstract: The present invention is directed to method of converting, or transdifferentiating the epidermal cells into viable neurons useful in both cell therapy and gene therapy treatment methodologies. The method of transdifferentiating epidermal cells into neuronal cells comprises the following steps: obtaining skin cells from a patient; dedifferentiating these cells with an appropriate medium, neurotrophin or cytokine; transfecting the skin cells with one or more expression vector(s) encoding at least one neurogenic transcription factor or active fragments thereof; expressing at least one of the neurogenic transcription factors; growing the transfected cells in an appropriate medium; and adding to the medium one or more antisense oligonucleotide(s) corresponding to at least one negative regulator of neuronal differentiation, whereby the epidermal cells are transdifferentiated into neuronal cells.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for an index screening system. A query is executed to access data stored on a data storage device connected to a computer. In particular, while accessing one or more indexes to retrieve row identifiers, index matching predicates in the query are applied to select row identifiers and index screening predicates in the query are applied to eliminate one or more selected row identifiers.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes.

Abstract: The self-watering assembly is used in combination with a conventional planter having flow hole apertures formed within a base thereof. The assembly includes a set of water-permeable flow hole inserts each including a portion of capillary material such as spandex. The flow hole inserts are inserted into a flow hole of the planter for direct contact with soil positioned therein. The flow hole inserts are sized and shaped to securely fit within the flow hole preventing soil from falling out of the flow hole and preventing roots from growing through the flow hole. Additional capillary material, also formed of spandex, couples an interior of a water reservoir to the capillary material of the water-permeable inserts. By using spandex as the capillary material, sufficient capillary flow may be achieved to properly water even medium to large sized plants.